My Father's House

Chapter 16

At half past midnight I still hadn't fallen asleep, and I remembered the credit card I had not returned to Kael. I plucked it off my nightstand and stared at it in the dark room, the moonlight providing all the light I needed. The embossed words were clear: Gideon Harper. I wasn't sure what I expected to find, but I still wondered if having the credit card number could yield any information. Remembering my earlier quest to find a computer, I slipped from my bed. I considered my shoes but decided against them. I would just end up taking them off somewhere and never find them.

I cracked my door and peaked out. Dark shadows cast by artwork and small hall tables kindled my fears. Feeling so adventurous was not typical for me. The last twenty-four hours had started a change in me. Closing my door softly behind me, I tiptoed to the stairs. I couldn't hear anything but the clock ticking in the hallway. Although in a house this size, someone somewhere could be having a rave in the home, and I probably wouldn't hear them.

I made my descent as quietly as possible, regretting my decision more with every old board that moaned. I went straight down the long hall. Instead of heading to the dining room, I went the opposite direction. There were numerous rooms on either side of me. Countless halls split off into other wings. I tried to keep track of each turn, fearing my lack of direction would affect my outcome tonight.

Ten minutes into my search, I noticed a light on the far side of the corridor, lighting up the hardwood in the hall. Curious, I pressed forward, stopping just outside the door to listen for movement inside. When my patience was rewarded with silence, I decided it was safe to proceed.

I opened the door slightly, grateful for the person who had kept its hinges well oiled. From what I could see, the room was some sort of library. Dark wooden shelves lined the walls. The only side of the room I could see boasted a large floor to ceiling paned window behind a massive carved desk and chair. A laptop was more likely to be in here than anywhere. The light that had drawn me to the room was probably from a fireplace judging by flickering reflections in the window and the gleam of the polished wooden desk. I opened the door the rest of the way, silently giving me a full view of the room.

Directly across from me was the fireplace crackling softly as expected. The faint scent of old books mixed with the smell of burning wood. Biting my lip in regret, I saw that Kael sat in front on an ottoman, head in his hands, elbows propped on his knees. I knew he hadn't heard me open the door, and he didn't look like a man wishing for company. Two sofas and a few chairs were in front of the fireplace, carefully placed to facilitate conversation. I couldn't see much in the room due to the poor lighting, Kael's profile only a dark outline in the firelight.

Unsure how to proceed, I looked behind me, trying to predict the success of a silent escape. The odds that I could back away, close the door, and retreat down the hall undetected were slim. I took a step inside. Kael's head turned toward me, his face not visible with the light behind him.

"Hey." I said, my voice rough from hours without use.

"Harper. Come in." He sat up straighter, dropping his hands to his knees.

I took a few steps inside and stopped. "I should go. I couldn't sleep, and I saw the light... I thought that maybe..." I trailed off, not sure how to explain my search for a laptop at this hour.

"No, it's fine. Come here."

Reluctantly I obeyed, curiosity getting the better of me. After our talk tonight at dinner, I had hoped to get Kael alone, ask more questions. I must be losing my mind. I was alone, walking willingly into a room where a world class criminal sat, capable of killing me at any time. But, if that were his plan I reasoned, he could have done so already. If Garrett and I did have to leave tomorrow, now could be my last chance for questions, for clarification.